Surfing surgeon remembered as rare inspiration

The wife of Dr. Jack Chen, Joni Doherty, holds the face of their young son, Andrew, 9, as her other son, Nicholas, 10, listen to remembrances about their father, who died on a trip to El Salvador on March 22. Hundreds showed up to the memorial service for Chen. He was remembered for his skill as a doctor, his compassion and his love of sports. He was an orthopedic surgeon who worked in Orange. H KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER

Chen's life story

Chen was born in Taipei, Taiwan, on Nov. 1, 1973, and moved with his family to the United States when he was 8. He graduated from Savanna High School in Anaheim, and went on to graduate from UC Berkeley. He completed medical school at the University of Southern California, where he was also an orthopedic resident during 1999-2004. He spent 2004-2005 in a spine fellowship at the University of Miami.

He returned to Orange County in 2005 to work at the Orthopaedic Specialty Institute in Orange, which his family called his dream job. He was promoted to a partner in the group in 2007.

SEAL BEACH – Before a crowd of 300 grieving co-workers, friends and former patients, Dr. Jack Chen's wife told a story familiar to many in the crowd:

He chose his name at 8 years old, during the plane ride from Taiwan to the United States when his family immigrated.

"Jack from 'Hawaii 5-0' was his hero," said Dr. Joni Doherty. "He has really lived the life of a hero."

Chen, 39, of Rossmoor and a surgeon with the Orthopaedic Specialty Institute in Orange, died March 22 during a trip to El Salvador. He had been in the country to work with an architect on plans for bringing clean drinking water to locals through a facility on a property he and his wife recently had purchased. He was surfing at El Sunzal beach when the current pulled him against rocks, witnesses said. The area experienced some of the strongest winds and largest swells of the season that weekend, with waves up to 15 feet.

At a memorial service Thursday afternoon at Old Ranch Country Club, Doherty said Chen died doing what he loved.

"It was his passion outside of work," she said. "He couldn't go for more than a couple of days without going in the water."

As much as he loved his work, she said, Chen always put family first and inspired her to do so as well. Over the past year, both doctors had cut back on work hours to have dinner together with their sons, Nicholas, 10, and Andrew, 9.

"Sometimes I think maybe he had some sense that that was going to end soon," she said.

Though cut short, the time they had together was packed full of experiences, she said. They met in medical school and, after a year, moved in together. Several weeks later, he proposed, and before the year was out they were married. Chen donated time and money to a variety of charities and also volunteered in the art program at his sons' school. The couple snowboarded and traveled, and three years ago, he bought his wife a motorcycle so she could ride with him when he took out his Harley.

"Jack always loved a challenge and he encouraged me to challenge myself, too," she said.

At the memorial service, the people whose lives Chen touched came up one by one for more than two hours to share their memories of his kindness, generosity and sense of humor. Several patients welled up as they described how he had saved their lives. Doctors from around the region described his expertise as an orthopedic surgeon as well as their respect for him personally and professionally.

Dr. Neil Butani met Chen while the two were in medical school at the University of Southern California. He described Chen as driven in everything he did, from academics and athletics to having fun.

"Everyone in this class looked up to this 21-year-old as their hero," he said. "We were all lucky to have him in our lives. Now heaven is lucky to have him up there."

Dr. Mike Patzakis, chair of orthopedic surgery at USC's Keck School of Medicine, described how Chen stood out among the top orthopedic residents in the country. He won virtually every academic award while a resident, Patzakis said, while being loved by all who met him.

"This is the kind of person who doesn't come around every day," he said. "(Chen was) once in a lifetime."

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The wife of Dr. Jack Chen, Joni Doherty, holds the face of their young son, Andrew, 9, as her other son, Nicholas, 10, listen to remembrances about their father, who died on a trip to El Salvador on March 22. Hundreds showed up to the memorial service for Chen. He was remembered for his skill as a doctor, his compassion and his love of sports. He was an orthopedic surgeon who worked in Orange. H KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Andrew Chen, 9, stands next to a picture of his father, Dr. Jack Chen, during his father's memorial service. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Andrew Chen, 9, places his hand on his older brother, Nicholas, 10, before their father's memorial service. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
A weeping patient talked about his love and respect for Dr. Jack Chen. Chen died while surfing in El Salvador, where he was also working on a project to bring clean drinking water to residents. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Hundreds attended the memorial service for Dr. Jack Chen on Thursday. He was remembered for his skill as a doctor, his compassion and his love of sports. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Hundreds attended a memorial for Dr. Jack Chen on Thursday at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER
Sister, Mary Chen, left, wife, Joni Doherty, sons, Andrew, and Nicholas Chen, and father, Michael Chen, listen during the memorial service for Dr. Jack Chen KAREN TAPIA, FOR THE REGISTER

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